Conservative failings leave ambulance service at breaking point

The Liberal Democrats have hit out at Government failings over ambulance waiting times in Gloucester.

New data from NHS England shows the average response time for ambulances in December 2021 for England was the second longest ever, after October 2021.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: “Ambulance services are at breaking point.

“The Conservatives have run ambulance services into the ground with every single target being missed for the most severe cases.”

Here in the South West Ambulance Trust area wait times for ‘Category 1’ calls – heart attacks and life threatening issues – reached averages in December of 11 mins and 38 secs – well over the NHS target of no more than seven minutes.

Meanwhile average waiting times for an ambulance for ‘Category 2’ calls – including chest pains and strokes – were over one hour and well beyond the target of 18 minutes.

Councillor Hilton added: “Behind every single one of these statistics is a tragic personal story.

“The Conservatives have taken Gloucester for granted for decades and now we’re seeing local patients and families pay the price.

“It seems the merging of the former Gloucestershire Ambulance Service into the regional South West Ambulance Service has failed to deliver on its promise. It hasn’t improved response times.

“The situation would be even worse in the county if we’re not for the 11 GFRS fire stations that turn out as co-responders for medical emergencies in support of the hard pressed ambulance service.

“Especially the five specialist cardiac care stations.

“It is clear the Government must invest more in building extra capacity in the ambulance service.”